Crist says oil spill proves drilling isn't safe, withdraws his support

[Dappleganger]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

The oil spill spreading across the Gulf of Mexico is sending ripples through Florida and national politics, giving Gov. Charlie Crist a reason to withdraw his support for offshore drilling.

After a 90-minute plane flight Tuesday above the spill, which was spreading in an 80-mile by 42-mile blob, Crist said, "Clearly it could be devastating to Florida if something like that were to occur. It's the last thing in the world I would want to see happen in our beautiful state.''

He said there is no question now that lawmakers should give up on the idea of drilling off Florida's coast this year and in coming years. He has said previously he would support drilling if it was far enough from shore, safe enough and clean enough. He said the spill is proof that's not possible.

"Clearly that one isn't far enough and that's about 50 to 60 miles out, it's clearly not clean enough after we saw what we saw today — that's horrific — and it certainly isn't safe enough. It's the opposite of safe," Crist said.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/article1090626.ece

---

Love him or hate him, he is on the correct side this time.

[seafan]

1. Yep. Just posted this as well.

Here


Good on him.

[lonestarnot]

2. Saturday?

Isn't that when FL coast could be seeing oil?

[jgraz]

3. Hate to say it, but this guy really need to switch parties

As far as I can tell, he's to the left of many Democrats -- including our President.

[JI7]

4. he opposes abortion rights and wants to ban lgbt from adopting

[Dappleganger]

5. Then he'll fight right in with most FL democratic politicians.

Seriously, politics in this state is just too fucked up. :eyes:

[JI7]

7. yeah, just pointing out the guy is not to the left of Obama

he is a lot better than Rubio though.

[Dappleganger]

8. He is on this issue.

It'll be curious to see what other issues he'll change his mind on once he sheds the republican party.

[JI7]

10. Obama's "support" is more political strategy rather than his true

feelings on the issue.

[aquart]

12. I don't give a damn how he feels. I give a damn about what he DOES.

[JI7]

15. so do i

[panzerfaust]

33. Amen

And what he DOES is not so different from what * Did on most issues: Certainly on those concerning government power versus civil liberty there has been no discernible change with our current administration defending (literally in court defending) the blatantly unconstitutional overreaching of the previous one.

[joeybee12]

59. Agreed..I am so sick of people trying to sell Obama's wrong-headedness as "strategy"

Here's a novel idea, instead of triangulation, try leadership.

[jgraz]

13. Kind of like his "support" for the public option

[sabrina 1]

21. But Obama was not supposed to be that kind of politician

He was supposed to change that DC cynicism and do what is right rather than what is politically expedient. This is the problem we have with our government. That politicians will NOT do the right thing even when they know what is right.

In fact, I despise even more those who know what is right and yet will not stand up for it for 'political strategy' than those who are misguided and think they are doing the right thing.

I hope you don't think that what you just said is any defense of Obama, if anything, if true, then he is lying and even more cynical than the Republicans who actually believe that off-shore drilling is the right thing to do.

[mdmc]

29. just like the drug war

single payer
public education

[RufusTFirefly]

81. Given that his whole public life is probably based on a lie...

... once he starts telling the truth about important things, he may turn out to be an old-fashioned Democrat instead of a shameless Republican.

[jgraz]

14. Well, the GOP ain't the only team he needs to switch from

Not saying anything, I'm just sayin.

[unc70]

19. Hey, what kind of team is this?

Channeling South Park and the Marlon Brando look-alikes.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

55. Have you watched the doumentary Outrage? nt

[jgraz]

57. Nope, but it's on my list.

Is Crist in it?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

58. I don't wanna spoil anything but his last "girlfriend" the one he "dated" before his current

"wife". Makes some "interesting" comments. (I might have gotten "carried away" with the " " there :+)

[Helga Scow Stern]

64. It's excellent. Crist is a big story in it. n/t

[NoSheep]

69. YES, The part about Crist is absolutely incredible. Wouldn't trust him for one second.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

71. Yep, he'll turn around and fuck gays over and over (and not in a good way) if given the chance. nt

[dotymed]

40. If that is true...

maybe the Democratic party is the "right" place for him.

[progressoid]

44. For now.

That will probably change when he comes out.

[breadandwine]

11. I am becoming convinced that alternative energy really isn't a priority for President Obama.

He blew his wad on healthcare and that will probably be his main accomplishment for his first term, especially after the GOP makes big gains in the Fall. The planet is going off a cliff. But not to worry. Many Americans will have less of a hassle with their insurance companies now, as they get sick from ecological chaos, heat waves and so on.

[StevieM]

23. I think President Obama will get Wall Street reform passed. It may go down to the wire but I think

we'll get a good bill. So that will be an additional major accomplishment in his first term.

As for energy, don't forget that the stimulus included some funding for some long overdue projects and research that will help combat the problem down the line.

I agree that stopping climate change is one of the most important issues, arguably the single most important issue.

Steve

[dotymed]

45. I don't agree Steve.

Glass-Steagal, enacted after the Depression, held corporations in check for decades, it worked. The current "regulations" that President Obama is fighting for, fall way short of Glass-Steagal and, just like the "health care reform", corporate Amerika will "grudgingly ;) accept it. They know that it won't cure the problem like Glass-Steagal did.

[dotymed]

41. I agree...

If the green (currency) was there for him then it would be a different thing. That is why he got rid of (communist!) Vann. He knew that Vann would press hard for a green agenda, like we must have to be sustainable and to release the death grip of big oil and clean ;) coal. Common sense dictates that Vann was vetted, then along comes beck, limpballs and rahm. There goes Obamas spine.... Yes he is better than the rethug rulers, but not by as much as we thought...To me, the great thing about (what used to be) the Democratic party was our acceptance of diversity. Cheerleading is B.S. "Make me do it"

[dotymed]

39. No doubt.

He has been throwing off the bush shackles and actually thinking clearly. As long as he is not corporate owned, I suggest Independent party or better yet...help us create a new,non corporate party that represents the majority. I have been a lifelong Democrat and now they are just as money driven as the rethugs...the party left the 80% who own 3% of the wealth.

[AlbertCat]

72. but this guy really need to switch parties

It only took the deaths of workers, an entire oil rig in flames and then sinking to the bottom of the Gulf...where the well is spewing tons of cude oil, only a fraction is now on the surface, but you can see it from space... for him to "get" the friggin' obvious!

Switch to what party.... the "not quite a clueless as the GOP" party?

Oh....wait....

:yoiks:

[Tx4obama]

6. I want someone to ask Palin ....

"How's that 'drill, baby, drill' thingie workin' out for ya now?"

Betcha we won't be hearing her spouting off again about off-shore drillin' anytime soon ;)

[Dappleganger]

9. Call it "Spill baby, spill!"

[Altoid_Cyclist]

31. I'm picturing a T-shirt with those words on one side.

The other side could be something like this....





29,000 square miles of hell on earth. Sarah will probably show up at the burn (if they go through with it) with wieners and marshmallows to show everyone how safe the drilling is.

[No Elephants]

16. Why not? It's not as though her speeches are fact-based to begin with.

"Spill, baby, spill" is a good one!

[progressoid]

43. Doubt it would make any difference to her.

She's too dense to get it.

[AlbertCat]

76. Betcha we won't be hearing her spouting off again about off-shore drillin' anytime soon

Neither will Obama... :eyes:

[gtar100]

17. Typical of a repub to see what is obvious

once it affects them personally.

[panzerfaust]

34. But does that make him a "Maverick?"

[Zambero]

18. Drill Everywhere, and Drill NOW (but N.I.M.B.Y!)

Funny how the mantra wears thin once the actual impact of doing the actual drilling occurs too close to home!

[sabrina 1]

20. Maybe Crist is evolving as a human being.

He has a long way to go, but this is the second time in the past few weeks where he surprised me. One when he vetoed the education bill and now, this. He has bucked his party on issues that have made him very unpopular with them. You have to respect someone who is willing to risk their political career once they open their eyes and see what is the right thing to do.

Now, maybe Obama might want to rethink his position on offshore drilling.

[JCMach1]

36. Who knows? Independent in the Democratic caucus?

[sabrina 1]

75. Yes, if he was willing to be independent on these two issues

it shows a willingness to learn and as an Independent who seems to be growing away from the party platform, he would be in a better position not to be pressured by them, if he did become a Senator. I'm sure their reaction to his honest response to these issues has opened his eyes also. Better an Independent who can be reasoned with, than a Republican, if we can't get a Democrat.

[suffragette]

22. Why, with all the terrible oil spills there have been, does it always

seem to take one more big one for politicians to come to this conclusion?

[PinkFloyd]

24. Makes you wonder...

I may be wrong, but I'm taking this as a break from the Republicans. This could be a sign of what he intends to do on his campaign. If he does, I can't believe I'm saying it but I hope he wins. I know Meek is our candidate and I'm sure he's a great guy but I've never seen anything that shows him winning or coming close to winning--he currently has a 22% chance winning according to Nate Silver's model. If it doesn't seem like the Dem will win, I'd WAY rather see an indy Crist as pose to Rubio. I'll probably get flamed for saying it...

[Dappleganger]

47. I'm not going to flame you...

because whether Meek OR Crist wins, the teabagger Rubio is kept out of the Senate.

THAT is the #1 priority.

[ngant17]

25. unfortunately it took a major disaster for him to see the obvious

the Fla. Dems have already made the position against offshore drilling a long time ago.

He didn't need to inspect the rig that just sank, just go swimming or walk on the beaches of Texas anytime, tar balls on your feet, yuch!

[howard112211]

26. Opportunism?

[NoSheep]

70. there you go

[spicegal]

27. Obviously it's not safe. I really wish Obama would restore the moratorium on

exploring off the east coast. These disaster always eventually happen. Oil is spewing from a hole in the ocean floor a mile down, and they have no way of stopping it in an emergency. It really sickens me.

[ejpoeta]

28. i wonder how much all that oil on gulf coast and florida beaches will affect tourism

i'm betting a lot. i hope to hell people see what a bad idea drilling is so close to the coasts.

[Vinca]

30. Not to fear. I just heard the Coast Guard is going to burn the oil off.

There's nothing more romantic than a Florida beach with a large plume of black smoke blocking out the sun. I wonder why the religious wingnuts don't interpret this entire event as God telling them to leave his oceans alone.

[MadHound]

32. Well, even a blind pig finds an acorn every now and then

What was your first clue Charlie? That big black slick heading your way?

[JCMach1]

35. Memo: he beat Obama to such a statement...

[Dappleganger]

48. Ha! You make an excellent point. nt

[JCMach1]

50. Of course it's the equivalent of supporting full-funding for flood control projects

AFTER Katrina!

I will catch flak for this, but one very unfortunate trait Obama has in common with Shrub is his unwillingness to admit a mistake even when the disaster is staring him in the face.

He shouldn't wait for the 24/7 dying bird videos to say something.

[Dappleganger]

60. That trait is very common with Type-A personalities...

who most often are in leadership roles.

[h9socialist]

37. Obviously, thoughts of abandoning the Republican Party . . .

. . . gave him a little more sense.

[donco6]

38. Yeah, because there's never been an oil spill before.

Where the hell has he been?

[Doctor_J]

42. Now that Obama has OK'd drilling, I expect many Repukes will come out against it

It's their reaction to anything he says or does.

[crim son]

46. I've been wondering why we haven't heard from them yet.

Maybe they realize that the fact that their campaign slogan was Drill, Baby, Drill, they will seem a tad hypocritical opposing him at this point.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madokie]

51. Kick me if you must but I'm liking this guy more and more

He seems like a good person with a kind heart.

[The Backlash Cometh]

52. Republicans are very visual learners.

I'm not saying that Crist couldn't have figured this out conceptually, but that maybe he understands that his Republican constituents can't?

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

53. Well, DUH.

[ozone_man]

54. Now, if only Obama was against drilling.

It takes leadership to stand up for what is right, and he hasn't shown much so far.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

56. He does it again. Kudos.

Hope he switches to Indy. Either he or Meek would be miles preferable to Jeb Jr., aka Marco Rubio.

[texastoast]

61. Ding! Ding! Ding! That's why

we thought it was a bad idea YEARS ago. Embracing it again is just fucking stupid.

[FailureToCommunicate]

62. Makes wind turbines look better and better...even off-shore ones! (Please, Salazar, do

the right thing!)

[rasputin1952]

63. I was waiting for some R to come to his senses about this...

notice though, nary a peep from TX, LA, MS, AL...they will wait until the slick hits shore, then demand the Federal Government...the same one they hate so much, to toss billions into cleanup. Incredibly, all of the Red states that could be affected, are as silent as a group of tombs.

It will be interesting to see which insurance companies try to get out of picking up the tab, as well as BP and the rig ownership. How much does one want to bet that the Feds gets stuck again?Which of course means that the already beaten public will once again pick up the tab for corporate error.

Then again, a strong congress would ensure that those who were responsible would have to clean up every last drop; let's see the D's pound this home, and the R's say "no" a clean up...:D

[louis-t]

65. The way I see it: typical repuke. Only concerned if it

affects him. I imagine he was right there with th drill baby drill crowd before this happened.

[Change Happens]

66. Maybe he is going all the way! To become a Dem.? not just an I....nt

[601Liberal]

67. I'm pulling back my support

I was willing to be open about offshore drilling but now I oppose it.

[Dappleganger]

68. Good.

Welcome to the bright side. ;)

:hug:

[DebbieCDC]

73. When's Obama gonna get on the right side of this issue?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

74. He's been tacking leftward ever since Rubio stormed the primary

And on the surface that sounds good...

...BUT...

...if he tacks to far to the progressive side that means the vote he'll be splitting won't be the GOP vote but our vote!

Either he's a dimwit or he's secretly working for Rubio.

[naaman fletcher]

77. Don't buy it..

he just knows he is going to lose the GOP primary, so is running as an independent and is now flip-flopping. He is still the same loser he always was.

[provis99]

78. He's cynically tacking to the center, now that he's out of the primary.

I suspect Crist will suddenly have a whole host of revelations on policy issues that indicate he is at the center.

[Major Hogwash]

79. Southernors will kill their lobster and shrimp beds if they have anymore oil spills

In the Gulf.

They're willing to kill 1 industry for oil and don't care about tourism or their way of life down South.

[LynneSin]

80. I swear this whole thing with Obama wanting to drill off the coast is to trap Republicans

Because here is Obama putting a pet cause the republicans have supported for ages out there on the table. Obama knows the democrats would never let this bill pass but now Obama can say he has reached out and done legislation for the republicans and either the repukes have to support Obama (which they won't) or fight him (and Obama can prove that GOP are obstructionists).